The chairman of RHB Capital has reignited speculation of RHB merging either between Maybank or CIMB. It was widely speculated that merger talks were going very well until Abu Dhabi Commericial Bank, owner of a quarter of the bank, sold their stake to Aabar for much more than it was worth (my thoughts on the deal). This overvaluation caused the two suitors to back away quite quickly. With Azlan Zainol, the chairman of RHB Capital, apparent support of a deal, it seems seems that everyone in Malaysia’s financial sector, including the government, would like this deal to happen.

Maybank or CIMB might want to check with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, the bank might be happy to provide financing for the deal. Aabar will just have to overpay another one of ADCB’s assets.